Spain's Excellent Albarinos

BOB HOSMON WINE

March 30, 2006|BOB HOSMON

Looking for the perfect alternative to over-oaked chardonnays? Look no further than albariM-qo wines from Spain. Produced in the RM-mas Baixas area of Galicia in northwestern Spain, albariM-qo whites are fruity yet bone-dry, with a hint of mineral in the finish.

These delightful, refreshing wines make perfect warm-weather choices for parties and meals.

With almost 200 wineries in RM-mas Baixas, I can name only a few in this space, including Bouza do Rei, Cobdes de Albarei, MarquM-is de Vizhoja, Martin CM-sdax, Palacio de FefiM-qanes, Pazo San Mauro, Santiago Ruiz, Terras Gauda, Valdamor and ValmiM-qor.

I have never tasted an albariM-qo I didn't like. So feel free to try any you find. Remember, albariM-qos are best when young; after two to three years they lose some of their vibrant aroma and zesty flavor.

SERVE WITH: Enjoy as an apM-iritif with salsa and chips, mild cheeses and canapM-is or with meals featuring ham, seafood or spicy Asian fare.

AVAILABILITY/SUGGESTED RETAIL: Wine shops and food markets have at least one albariM-qo; good wine shops have more. Prices range from $16 to $25 a bottle.

EXPERT EXCHANGE

I asked Fernando Miles Jewett of Total Wine, Fort Lauderdale's newest major wine shop, to share some of his favorite bottles. They are a Chateauneuf du Pape from Chante Cigale ($27) and the Clarendon Hills Grenache Kangarilla ($60). The French red, Jewett observes "is a rich, full-bodied wine ... with a silky-textured finish. It's a great value for the price." As for the Aussie choice, Jewett finds this high-scoring red "a complex wine, displaying depth and character with a finish that seemingly never ends."

WINE OF THE WEEK

SELECTION: The 2003 Dashe Cellars Louvau Vineyard Old Vines Zinfandel is one of the richest, most complex, yet velvety smooth reds I've tasted. It's those old (50-year-plus) vines and their location in Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley that create such a rare treat.

AVAILABILITY/SUGGESTED RETAIL: Sold in better wine shops for about $29 a bottle.

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